Computer aided tube and tip detection

Abstract

A computer aided tube and tip detection method for a radiographic image. Radiographic image data is obtained, and a region of interest in the image is determined. The image is processed to provide edge enhancements forming an edge-enhanced image. Edge segments in the edge-enhanced image are detected. Connected lines from the edge segments are formed to obtain a set of connected lines. A tube structure is identified by pairing one or more pairs of connected lines that are separated by a width dimension in a predetermined range. A tip is detected for the tube structure according to the convergence or divergence of paired connected lines.

1. A method for processing a radiographic image, executed at least in part by a processor, comprising:
 obtaining radiographic image data; 
 determining a region of interest in the image; 
 processing the image to provide edge enhancements and thereby form an edge-enhanced image; 
 detecting edge segments in the edge-enhanced image; 
 forming connected lines from the edge segments to form a set of connected lines; 
 identifying a tube structure by pairing one or more pairs of connected lines that are separated by a width dimension in a predetermined range; and 
 detecting a tip for the tube structure according to the convergence or divergence of paired connected lines. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein detecting edge segments comprises using Canny edge detection. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  further comprising applying a Gaussian filter to the image data. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  further comprising highlighting the tube structure and tip outline on the displayed radiographic image. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein highlighting the tube structure and tip outline comprises overlaying a color onto a displayed image. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein identifying the tube structure further comprises classifying the type of tube structure. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein detecting edge segments comprises applying a Hough transform. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  further comprising dividing at least a portion of the image into a plurality of image tiles. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein detecting edge segments comprises computing a gradient. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein identifying a tube structure further comprises forming one or more additional connected pairs of lines to eliminate gaps in the tube structure. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  further comprising performing histogram equalization to enhance grayscale contrast. 
     
     
       12. A method for processing a radiographic image, executed at least in part by a processor, comprising:
 obtaining radiographic image data; 
 determining a region of interest in the image; 
 processing the image to provide edge enhancement, forming an edge-enhanced image thereby; 
 detecting edge segments in the edge-enhanced image; 
 pairing edge segments; 
 forming connected lines to join disconnected, paired edge segments; and 
 detecting a tip according to the convergence or divergence of paired connected lines, 
 wherein pairing edge segments further comprises: 
 obtaining gradient characteristics for the edge segments; 
 calculating the distance between paired edge segments; and 
 calculating the relative angles between edge segments. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  further comprising identifying a type of tube according to the distance between paired segments. 
     
     
       14. A method for processing a radiographic image, executed at least in part by a processor, comprising:
 obtaining radiographic image data; 
 determining a region of interest in the image; 
 processing the image to provide edge enhancement, forming an edge-enhanced image thereby; 
 detecting edge segments in the edge-enhanced image; 
 pairing edge segments; 
 forming connected lines to join disconnected, paired edge segments; 
 detecting a tip according to the convergence or divergence of paired connected lines; and 
 identifying a tube structure according to a width dimension that separates two paired, connected lines. 
 
     
     
       15. A method for processing a radiographic image, executed at least in part by a processor, comprising:
 obtaining radiographic image data; 
 determining a region of interest in the image; 
 detecting edge segments in the region of interest; 
 forming connected lines from the edge segments to form a set of connected lines; and 
 identifying a tube structure by pairing one or more pairs of connected lines that are separated by a width dimension in a predetermined range. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  further comprising detecting a tip for the tube structure according to the convergence or divergence of paired connected lines.